Over the past several weeks, Chicago Bears fans have become enamored with the idea of Ben Johnson getting hired as the next head coach. It’s understandable. The 38-year-old has guided one of the best offenses in football for three straight years, reviving the career of Jared Goff and turning the Detroit Lions into a Super Bowl contender. Word surfaced earlier in the year that Johnson had an interest in the Bears job but chose to stay in Detroit after news broke that Matt Eberflus was staying. Now, the job is officially open, and Johnson is still available.
Multiple insiders have hinted the interest is still there. The belief is Johnson would only take interviews with teams whose jobs he was genuinely intrigued by. That is what makes Courtney Cronin’s update via ESPN so important.
Sources confirmed to ESPN that Johnson, the Lions’ offensive coordinator, is expected to interview for the Bears’ head coaching vacancy. Detroit put up 400-plus yards of offense for a third time in four games and jumped out to an early 20-0 lead. Conversely, Johnson, who praised quarterback Caleb Williams for how the ball “whistles” when he throws it, got a good look at a strong performance from the rookie.
It’s been obvious for months. The belief is most of it stems from his fascination with quarterback Caleb Williams, who worked at the QB Collective for years, a tutoring camp run by Johnson’s agent. The Bears quarterback had two excellent performances against the Lions, showcasing the immense potential he carries as a #1 overall pick. Ben Johnson isn’t stupid. He likely recognizes what he could do for his career if he elevates Williams and pulls the Bears out of the mud. People would build statues of him on Michigan Avenue.
Two big hurdles must be cleared. In his interview, Johnson must show the team brass that he has a plan for the organization and can withstand the immense pressure that comes with the job. Conversely, the Bears must show him they’re serious about winning, which hasn’t always been the case in recent years. The belief is the presence of GM Ryan Poles could be the most complicating factor. Stay tuned.
